Pica is an appetite for non-foods (e.g. soil,
chalk) or an abnormal appetite for some things that may be considered foods,
food ingredients (e.g. flour, raw potato, starch). The condition's name comes
from the Latin word for the magpie, a bird which is reputed to eat almost
anything. Pica is seen in all ages, particularly in pregnant women and small
children, especially among children who are developmentally disabled where
it is the most common eating disorder. It is much more common in developing
countries and rural areas than elsewhere. In extreme forms, pica is regarded
as a medical disorder.

Pregnant women have been known to develop strong
cravings for gritty substances like soil or flour. Some theorize that these
women may be craving trace minerals lacking in their system. There is a lack
of major studies and research in this field, possibly because of strong aversion
to the subject as "gross" and "disgusting".

Warning: Pica in children, while common, can
be dangerous. Children eating painted plaster containing lead may suffer
brain damage from lead poisoning. There is a similar risk from eating dirt
near roads that existed prior to the phaseout of tetra-ethyl lead in gasoline
or prior to the use of contaminated oil (either used, or containing toxic
PCBs) to settle dust. In addition to poisoning, there is also a much greater
risk of gastro-intestinal obstruction or tearing in the stomach. This is
also true in animals.

Examples

* Acuphagia (ingestion of sharp objects)

* Amylophagia (consumption of starch)

* Coniophagia (consumption of dust from Venetian
blinds)

* Coprophagia (consumption of excrement)

* Geomelophagia (abnormal ingestion of raw
potatoes)

* Geophagy (consumption of soil)

* Gooberphagia (pathological consumption of
peanuts)

* Lithophagia (ingestion of stones)

* Mucophagy (consumption of mucus)

* Pagophagia (pathological consumption of
ice)

* Trichophagia (consumption of hair or wool)

* Xylophagia (consumption of wood toothpicks)

The information above is not intended
for and should not be used as a substitute for the diagnosis and/or treatment
by a licensed, qualified, health-care professional. This article is licensed
under the GNU Free Documentation
License. It incorporates material originating from the Wikipedia article
"Pica
disorder".